barbapoefimage © designboom

designer maarten collignon is exhibiting his ‘barbapoef’ project at the designer’s fair, which is part of the offsite program ‘passagen’ being held in conjunction with imm cologne 2010.

barbapoef is a series of stools which are influenced by the balloon. a large balloon with air is pulled tightly over a wooden block, allowing air to go inside and stays there. the wood contrasts the industrial rubber material of the balloon. when you sit down, the bubble embraces the body. the seating experience can be changed by increasing or decreasing the amount of air inside.

maarten collignon: barbapoef image © designboom

maarten collignon: barbapoef users can increase and decrease the amount of air inside the balloons depending on what kind of seating experience they want image © designboom

maarten collignon: barbapoefdesigner maarten collignon portrait © designboom

maarten collignon: barbapoef maarten collignon demonstrating the barbapoef image © designboom

maarten collignon: barbapoef pink barbapoef

maarten collignon: barbapoef illustrating the elasticity of the deflated balloon

maarten collignon: barbapoef a balloon is pulled tightly over a wooden block, allowing air to go inside and create the bulbous seat image © designboom

maarten collignon: barbapoef collignon discussing his design with visitors image © designboom

maarten collignon: barbapoef barbapoef series image © designboom

maarten collignon: barbapoef the balloons image © designboom